# 13 Holy Wit – Bible Study Saved by Grace, Brought Near (I Am With You: Courage Rooted in God’s Nearness – Ephesians 2) Scripture Reading (NKJV): Ephesians 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, Ephesians 2:2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, Ephesians 2:3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, Ephesians 2:5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), Ephesians 2:6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Ephesians 2:7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, Ephesians 2:9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— Ephesians 2:12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2&version=NKJV ________________________________________ 1. Dead, Not Merely Weak Paul begins with a diagnosis that is both stark and universal. Humanity is not merely struggling morally or spiritually; we are described as dead in trespasses and sins. Death implies inability. A corpse does not cooperate in its own revival. This language removes any illusion that human beings can repair their relationship with God through effort or religious performance. Left to ourselves, we follow the patterns of the world and the impulses of the flesh. Scripture’s assessment is sobering: apart from God’s intervention, we are spiritually lifeless. Ephesians 2:1–3 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A1-3&version=NKJV ________________________________________ 2. Two Words That Change Everything: “But God” After describing humanity’s helpless condition, Paul introduces one of the most hopeful turns in Scripture: “But God.” The initiative does not begin with human reform but with divine mercy. God is described as rich in mercy and moved by great love. Even when humanity was dead in sin, God acted. He made believers alive together with Christ. Salvation therefore begins not with human seeking but with God’s gracious intervention. These verses establish a foundational truth: the story of salvation is primarily about God’s character—His mercy, love, and grace. Ephesians 2:4–5 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A4-5&version=NKJV ________________________________________ 3. Salvation Is a Gift, Not a Human Achievement Paul then states the famous summary of the gospel: “For by grace you have been saved through faith… it is the gift of God.” Grace means unearned favor. Faith is the means by which that grace is received. Yet even faith is not presented as a human accomplishment that earns salvation. The entire rescue—from beginning to end—is a gift of God. Paul emphasizes this by ruling out boasting. If salvation were the result of human effort, it would produce pride. Instead, the gospel produces humility and gratitude. Believers stand before God not as achievers but as recipients of mercy. Ephesians 2:8–9 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A8-9&version=NKJV ________________________________________ 4. Grace Does Not Remove Purpose While salvation is not earned by works, it does lead to them. Verse 10 clarifies the proper order. Believers are God’s workmanship, newly created in Christ Jesus for good works prepared beforehand by God. In other words: Grace saves us. Grace transforms us. Grace then sends us into a life of obedience. Good works are not the root of salvation but the fruit of it. Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A10&version=NKJV ________________________________________ 5. From Far Away to Brought Near The connection to the theme “I Am With You” becomes unmistakable in the second half of the chapter. Paul reminds Gentile believers that they were once far off—separated from God’s covenants, promises, and people. Then comes a dramatic reversal: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” The language is relational and spatial. Those who once stood at a distance from God have been brought near into His presence. Ephesians 2:13 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A13&version=NKJV ________________________________________ 6. The Gospel Explains the Nearness of God Throughout Scripture God encourages His people with the promise: “I am with you.” This promise appears repeatedly in the Old Testament—to Joshua, to Solomon, to prophets and leaders facing overwhelming tasks. Courage flows from the assurance that God’s presence accompanies His people. Ephesians 2 explains how sinners can experience that nearness at all. Because of Christ’s sacrifice: • those who were dead are made alive, • those who were far away are brought near, • those who had no hope now belong to God’s household. The courage promised in earlier Scriptures rests on the reality that God draws His people into relationship with Himself. The gospel secures that relationship permanently. Grace brings us near to God, and that nearness becomes the foundation of courage. ________________________________________ Reflection Questions Why does Paul describe humanity as spiritually “dead” rather than merely weak (Ephesians 2:1–3)? How does the phrase “But God” reshape the way you understand your own salvation story (Ephesians 2:4–5)? Why is it important that salvation is described as a gift rather than a reward (Ephesians 2:8–9)? What does it mean personally that believers who were once “far off” have now been brought near to God (Ephesians 2:13)? How does being near to God provide courage for living faithfully in a difficult world? ________________________________________ Prayer Points Thank God for His mercy and love shown in rescuing sinners who were spiritually dead. Praise God that salvation is a gift of grace rather than something earned by human effort. Ask the Lord to help you live as His workmanship, walking in the good works He has prepared. Pray for a deeper awareness of God’s nearness and the courage that comes from belonging to Him. ________________________________________ For further study (NKJV): Romans 5:8–11 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+5%3A8-11&version=NKJV Colossians 1:21–22 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A21-22&version=NKJV Hebrews 13:5–6 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13%3A5-6&version=NKJV ________________________________________ #HolyWitBibleStudy #GordonMcGinnis #IAmWithYou #Ephesians2